Bogotá is Colombia’s capital and a political, cultural, and economic hub that shapes national discourse.
Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential runoff with 49.7% to Iván Cepeda’s 48.7%, signaling a shift to the right. The victory could reshape security policy, economics, and relations with the United States as protests flare in several cities.
Abelardo de la Espriella has secured a narrow victory in Colombia's presidential runoff, pledging a hard-line security approach and a renewed alliance with Israel. Iván Cepeda contests the result as Petro-era policies face upheaval. Protests erupt in Cali as results tighten and markets watch for policy shifts.
The United States–backed Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential runoff, defeating Iván Cepeda by about 250,000 votes. Cepeda has conceded after the official count matched the preliminary tally, and Petro announces a transition. De la Espriella pledges a hardline security stance and closer ties with allies, while Cepeda’s camp highlights foreign interference. The transition date is set for August 7.
A British man from Bournemouth has been arrested in Quito, Ecuador, on suspicion of beating Natalia Villalba to death in Bogote1 on 18 June and concealing her body in a suitcase. An Interpol Red Notice had been issued and Dorset Police assisted in locating him.
Colombia’s presidential runoff winner is under pressure over US citizenship and possible conflicts of interest. Senator Iván Cepeda has urged Abelardo de la Espriella to renounce his US citizenship and clarify whether he is an agent of the United States. Cepeda warns of civil disobedience if legality conditions are not met.
Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has suspended the transition with incumbent President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of planning a coup. Petro denies fraud and international observers have praised the vote. The new cabinet is being announced as tensions rise over governance, oil policy, and the future of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
Two separate bombing attacks have marred Abelardo de la Espriella’s first day in office, killing at least one police officer and wounding others. The army has blamed dissident FARC factions for a tollbooth car bomb near Cali and reports say a drone strike hit a police station in Cesar. De la Espriella has promised a relentless crackdown and the US has pledged a $1bn security package.
Petro claims thousands of tally sheets were manipulated after counts were transmitted, a charge rejected by electoral authorities and international observers as Colombia prepares to inaugurate the new president after a tightly contested election.
A strong earthquake has struck western Colombia this morning, centred near San José del Palmar in Chocó. Seismologists have placed the magnitude between 6.6 and 7.4 and the tremor has caused building collapses in cities including Cali, Pereira, Quibdó and Manizales, killed dozens and forced evacuations as emergency teams mount search-and-rescue operations.